Manoela Galende Costa - International Lawyer

Manoela Galende Costa - International Lawyer ○ International Legal Support in:
• Golden Visa (Resident Permit by Investment) - Immigration - Nationality
• PT Bar Association nº: 56470C

TRAVELLING TO PORTUGAL FROM 6 SEPTEMBER? EXPECT STRICTER BIOMETRIC BORDER CONTROLS 🇵🇹✈️Portugal is preparing for an impo...
28/08/2026

TRAVELLING TO PORTUGAL FROM 6 SEPTEMBER? EXPECT STRICTER BIOMETRIC BORDER CONTROLS 🇵🇹✈️

Portugal is preparing for an important change at its airports.

From 6 September 2026, Portuguese border authorities will need to collect biometric data from 100% of the non-EU travellers covered by the European Entry/Exit System (EES).

The Portuguese Government has acknowledged that this may create additional pressure at border control, particularly at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports.

The EES is the EU’s digital border management system for eligible non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen Area for short stays.

Instead of relying on passport stamps, the system digitally records border crossings and uses biometric information, including facial images and fingerprints.

Portugal has already invested in additional staff, technology, e-gates and border-control capacity. However, the Government has warned that some disruption may still occur when full biometric collection begins.

What does this mean for travellers?

If you are a non-EU national travelling to Portugal from September, particularly from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom or Canada, allow additional time for immigration procedures when arriving at Portuguese airports.

There is also an important distinction:

The EES is a Schengen border-control system. It is not an AIMA residence procedure and does not change the legal requirements for Portuguese residence permits or nationality.

Different rules may also apply depending on your immigration status and the residence document you hold.

For international residents and frequent travellers, understanding the distinction between border-control rules and immigration/residence rules is increasingly important.

6 September 2026: a date non-EU travellers to Portugal should keep in mind.

Manoela Galende Costa, MSc.
International Lawyer | Portuguese Immigration & Relocation
Portuguese Bar Association — CP 56470C
English | Portuguese | Spanish

PORTUGAL WANTS TO STOP ASKING YOU FOR DOCUMENTS THE STATE ALREADY HASAnyone who has dealt with Portuguese public adminis...
26/08/2026

PORTUGAL WANTS TO STOP ASKING YOU FOR DOCUMENTS THE STATE ALREADY HAS

Anyone who has dealt with Portuguese public administration knows the situation:

One public authority already has a document.

Another public authority asks you to provide it again.

And sometimes you have to obtain a new certificate from one government body simply to deliver it to another.

Portugal is now taking an important step towards changing that.

On 20 August, the Portuguese Government approved a proposal for a new General Interoperability Framework for Public Administration, built around the “Only Once” principle.

The concept is simple:

Citizens and businesses should only have to provide the State with the same information once.

If a document or piece of information is already lawfully held by one public authority, another authority should be able to obtain it directly through Portugal’s Public Administration Interoperability Platform (iAP), rather than requiring the individual to collect and submit it again.

The reform is intended to:

• reduce repeated requests for certificates and documents;
• reduce unnecessary visits to different public offices;
• allow public authorities to communicate securely with each other;
• speed up administrative procedures; and
• improve verification of information directly between competent authorities.

For foreign residents and international clients in Portugal, the potential impact is particularly interesting.

Immigration, residency, nationality, tax and other administrative procedures frequently involve documents and information already held somewhere within the Portuguese public administration.

If the new framework is effectively implemented across the relevant authorities, it could eventually make many of these procedures considerably less bureaucratic.

But there is an important legal distinction:

This does not mean that you can stop providing documents requested by AIMA, IRN or another authority today.

The Government has approved the legislative proposal, but the new framework still has to complete the legislative process and be effectively implemented across public services.

So, for now, existing documentary requirements should continue to be followed.

Still, the direction is significant.

A genuinely interconnected public administration — where government authorities obtain information from each other instead of repeatedly asking citizens to act as messengers between them — would represent a substantial improvement in the way administrative procedures work in Portugal.

One document. One submission. Public authorities communicate with each other.

That is the objective.

And for anyone who regularly deals with Portuguese bureaucracy, it could be a very meaningful change.

Manoela Galende Costa, MSc.
International Lawyer | Portuguese Immigration & Relocation
Portuguese Bar Association — CP 56470C
Coimbra, Portugal
English | Portuguese | Spanish

International relocation should start with a strategy — not with a visa application.Relocating to another country involv...
23/08/2026

International relocation should start with a strategy — not with a visa application.

Relocating to another country involves much more than identifying an immigration route.

For individuals and families considering Portugal, Spain or Brazil, MGC provides a Strategic Immigration & Relocation Roadmap: a comprehensive planning service designed to assess the client’s circumstances before the implementation of an immigration process begins.

The starting point is the client rather than a particular visa.

The analysis may consider family composition, professional and financial circumstances, intended activities, short- and long-term objectives, lifestyle requirements, timing and other relevant aspects of the relocation.

From there, the planning can include:

• assessment and comparison of suitable immigration pathways and, where relevant, jurisdictions;
• legal requirements, limitations and practical implications of the available alternatives;
• identification of the recommended immigration strategy according to the client’s circumstances and objectives;
• an organised roadmap for the different stages of the relocation;
• identification of legal and practical matters that should be addressed before and after the move; and
• where appropriate, referral to local professionals whose expertise may be required for specific aspects of the relocation, such as tax, accounting, real estate, banking or other specialised matters.

The objective is to provide the client with a coherent framework for decision-making before significant legal, financial and practical commitments are made.

This service may also provide a useful framework for professional partners and advisers whose clients are considering an international relocation and require coordinated immigration and relocation planning as part of a broader advisory process.

The Strategic Immigration & Relocation Roadmap is a planning and legal advisory service. Implementation of the selected immigration pathway — including visa or residence applications, procedural work and legal representation — is not included in the roadmap and, where required, is separately scoped following completion of the strategic assessment.

International relocation should start with a strategy — not with a visa application.Relocating to another country involv...
23/08/2026

International relocation should start with a strategy — not with a visa application.

Relocating to another country involves much more than identifying an immigration route.

For individuals and families considering Portugal, Spain or Brazil, MGC provides a Strategic Immigration & Relocation Roadmap: a comprehensive planning service designed to assess the client’s circumstances before the implementation of an immigration process begins.

The starting point is the client rather than a particular visa.

The analysis may consider family composition, professional and financial circumstances, intended activities, short- and long-term objectives, lifestyle requirements, timing and other relevant aspects of the relocation.

From there, the planning can include:

• assessment and comparison of suitable immigration pathways and, where relevant, jurisdictions;
• legal requirements, limitations and practical implications of the available alternatives;
• identification of the recommended immigration strategy according to the client’s circumstances and objectives;
• an organised roadmap for the different stages of the relocation;
• identification of legal and practical matters that should be addressed before and after the move; and
• where appropriate, referral to local professionals whose expertise may be required for specific aspects of the relocation, such as tax, accounting, real estate, banking or other specialised matters.

The objective is to provide the client with a coherent framework for decision-making before significant legal, financial and practical commitments are made.

This service may also provide a useful framework for professional partners and advisers whose clients are considering an international relocation and require coordinated immigration and relocation planning as part of a broader advisory process.

The Strategic Immigration & Relocation Roadmap is a planning and legal advisory service. Implementation of the selected immigration pathway — including visa or residence applications, procedural work and legal representation — is not included in the roadmap and, where required, is separately scoped following completion of the strategic assessment.

MGC Immigration Lawyer
Strategic Immigration & Relocation Planning
Portugal | Spain | Brazil

🇪🇺 Buying from outside the EU? A new customs rule is now in effectAs of 1 July 2026, the European Union has introduced a...
20/08/2026

🇪🇺 Buying from outside the EU? A new customs rule is now in effect

As of 1 July 2026, the European Union has introduced a new temporary customs duty affecting low-value goods purchased from outside the EU.

The previous customs duty exemption for consignments valued at up to €150 has been replaced by a temporary flat customs duty of €3 per item, determined according to the tariff classification of the goods contained in the consignment.

The European Commission provides a useful example:

• A parcel containing 5 T-shirts → €3 customs duty
• A parcel containing 1 T-shirt and 1 watch → €6 customs duty

The measure applies to distance sales of goods imported into the EU in consignments of up to €150, regardless of the VAT scheme used.

Importantly, this is a temporary measure. It will remain in place until 1 July 2028, when the EU intends to move to the normal customs tariff applicable to the specific type of goods.

The European Commission also clarifies that the measure is not targeted at any particular country. It applies regardless of the country of origin of the goods or the logistics operator involved.

The €3 customs duty should also not be confused with the proposed “Union handling fee”. These are separate measures. According to the Commission, the amount and implementation date of the handling fee are still to be determined.

A further change is expected from 1 November 2026, when product identifiers (PIDs) will become mandatory, with the aim of improving product traceability and safety controls.

These measures form part of the broader EU Customs Union reform and the modernisation of customs rules for e-commerce.

For international residents in Portugal and across the EU who regularly purchase goods from non-EU countries, this is a practical change worth keeping in mind.

Source: European Commission — Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union.

🇵🇹 PORTUGAL'S NATIONALITY LAW: 16 AUGUST IS A DATE INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS SHOULD WATCHPortugal's nationality framework ...
11/08/2026

🇵🇹 PORTUGAL'S NATIONALITY LAW: 16 AUGUST IS A DATE INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS SHOULD WATCH

Portugal's nationality framework changed significantly this year.

But for international investors and families, the story did not end when the new law was published.

📅 16 August 2026 is the next date worth watching.

Portugal's new Nationality Law — Organic Law no. 1/2026, published on 18 May — gave the Government 90 days to make the necessary amendments to the Portuguese Nationality Regulation.

That deadline falls on 16 August.

Why should an investor care about something as technical as a regulation?

Because there is an important difference between:

what the law says,

how the law is regulated,

and

how the law is ultimately implemented in practice.

For internationally mobile investors and families, that distinction can matter considerably.

A decision to establish a presence in Portugal may involve much more than obtaining a residence permit.

It can form part of a broader strategy involving:

🔹 investment;

🔹 business interests;

🔹 family relocation;

🔹 European mobility;

🔹 succession and long-term family planning; and

🔹 potentially, Portuguese citizenship in the future.

And when decisions involve significant capital and long-term family interests, assumptions are expensive.

This is particularly relevant for Golden Visa investors.

Portugal's Golden Visa remains a residence-by-investment programme.

Portuguese citizenship is a separate legal framework.

One should never be presented as a guaranteed consequence of the other.

That distinction has become particularly important following the changes introduced in 2026.

There is also a broader point here.

Sophisticated international planning distinguishes three things:

✅ What is law today.

⏳ What still depends on regulation or administrative implementation.

❌ What is merely speculation about what might happen tomorrow.

The third category is where investors should be especially cautious.

No lawyer, investment adviser or immigration professional can responsibly guarantee what Portuguese nationality, immigration or tax legislation will look like five or ten years from now.

What can be done is different:

build a strategy around the law that actually exists, understand the regulatory risks, and preserve enough flexibility to adapt when circumstances change.

That, in my view, is where strategic legal advice becomes particularly valuable.

Not in predicting the future.

In preparing for it.

💬 A question for international investors:

If you were making a substantial investment abroad today, which would matter more to you?

A) Investment performance
B) Legal and regulatory predictability
C) Residence rights and international mobility
D) Long-term options for your family
E) All of the above

Leave A, B, C, D or E in the comments — and, if you wish, tell me why.

I am particularly interested in seeing whether investors now place a higher value on legal certainty than they did a few years ago.

---

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The legal implications of the new framework depend on the circumstances of each individual case.

Manoela Galende Costa, MSc.
International Lawyer | Portuguese Bar Association – CP 56470C

📍 Coimbra, Portugal
📞 WhatsApp: +351 915 519 128
📧 [email protected]
🌐 mgclawyer.wixsite.com/mgclawyer



---

Source: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/lei-organica/1-2026-1123539996

The Biggest Lesson from Portugal's Latest Golden Visa Debate Isn't What Most People ThinkOver the past few weeks, Portug...
04/08/2026

The Biggest Lesson from Portugal's Latest Golden Visa Debate Isn't What Most People Think

Over the past few weeks, Portugal's proposed changes to its nationality framework have generated significant discussion among international investors, including collective legal action by a group of Golden Visa applicants.

Whether you agree or disagree with the proposed changes is, in many ways, a separate discussion.

For investors, there is a more important lesson.

Immigration law evolves.

Investment markets evolve.

Governments evolve.

This is precisely why sophisticated investors rarely build international strategies around a single assumption.

Instead, they ask questions such as:

📌 Is my investment aligned with my long-term objectives?

📌 If legislation changes, will my overall strategy still make sense?

📌 Am I investing only to obtain residency, or am I building a long-term European presence?

📌 Have I considered alternative legal pathways if circumstances change?

The most resilient international strategies are not built on predicting future legislation.

They are built on flexibility.

That is one of the reasons why strategic legal planning should begin before an investment is made—not afterwards.

Good legal advice is not about predicting the future.

It is about helping clients prepare for it.

💬 I'd be interested in hearing your perspective.

When making an international investment, which factor matters most to you?

🔹 Legal certainty

🔹 Investment performance

🔹 Residency opportunities

🔹 Tax efficiency

🔹 Long-term family planning

Share your thoughts in the comments. I'll address the most common questions in future educational posts.

---

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case requires an individual legal assessment.

Manoela Galende Costa, MSc.
International Lawyer | Portuguese Bar Association – CP 56470C

📍 Coimbra, Portugal

📧 [email protected]

📞 +351 915 519 128

🌐 https://mgclawyer.wixsite.com/mgclawyer

The Most Expensive Immigration Mistake Happens Before You ApplyWhen international investors think about Portugal, the fi...
30/07/2026

The Most Expensive Immigration Mistake Happens Before You Apply

When international investors think about Portugal, the first question is often:

❓ "Which visa should I apply for?"

In my experience, that's usually the wrong place to start.

The most expensive immigration mistakes rarely happen during the application process.

⚠️ They happen months earlier, when key decisions are made without considering their legal consequences.

For example:

📈 Purchasing an investment before assessing whether it supports your long-term objectives.

🏢 Choosing a residence route before defining your business strategy.

⚖️ Structuring a company without considering immigration implications.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Making decisions that affect future flexibility for your spouse or children.

The reality is that the right visa is the result of a well-designed strategy—not the strategy itself.

Whether you are considering a Golden Visa, a D2 Entrepreneur Visa, or another immigration pathway, the first question should never be:

❌ "Which visa is best?"

It should be:

✅ "What am I trying to achieve over the next 5, 10 or 20 years?"

Once that question is answered, the appropriate legal framework often becomes much clearer.

Sophisticated investors don't begin with an application.

🎯 They begin with a strategy.

Because the real value of legal advice is not measured by the forms it prepares.

It is measured by the costly mistakes it helps clients avoid.

💬 I'd like to hear your perspective.

If you were planning to relocate or invest in Portugal, which would concern you the most?

🔹 Choosing the right investment

🔹 Selecting the appropriate residence route

🔹 Tax considerations

🔹 Family relocation

🔹 Long-term access to Portuguese citizenship

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments. I will use the most common questions to shape future educational posts.

---

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case requires an individual legal assessment.

Manoela Galende Costa, MSc.
International Lawyer | Portuguese Bar Association CP 56470C

📍 Coimbra, Portugal

📧 [email protected]

📞 +351 915 519 128

🌐 https://mgclawyer.wixsite.com/mgclawyer

Golden Visa or D2? Most investors start with the wrong question.When international investors think about relocating to P...
28/07/2026

Golden Visa or D2? Most investors start with the wrong question.

When international investors think about relocating to Portugal, the Golden Visa is often the first option that comes to mind.

But is it always the most suitable one?

Not necessarily.

Many investors automatically focus on the Golden Visa without first asking a more fundamental question:

What is the purpose of my investment?

Are you looking for:

🏢 Passive investment?

🚀 Active involvement in a Portuguese business?

🌍 Long-term business expansion into the European market?

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family relocation?

📈 Building a company with real economic activity?

Depending on your objectives, the most appropriate immigration route may differ.

For certain investment projects, particularly those involving the creation, acquisition or active management of a business, it may be appropriate to analyse whether a D2 Entrepreneur Visa should also form part of the discussion.

This does not mean that the D2 is better than the Golden Visa.

Nor does it mean that one replaces the other.

They are different legal frameworks designed for different investor profiles and different business strategies.

One of the most common mistakes I see is investors choosing an immigration route first and only then trying to adapt their investment to fit that choice.

The process should be the opposite.

✅ Your investment strategy should come first.

✅ Your immigration strategy should follow.

The right legal structure can make a significant difference—not only for your residence application, but also for your business objectives, long-term flexibility and family planning.

Over the coming weeks, I'll be publishing educational content exploring different investment and immigration strategies available in Portugal.

I'd like to hear from you.

If you were considering investing in Portugal today, which of these would be your highest priority?

🔹 Obtaining residency

🔹 Growing a business

🔹 Investing in Portuguese companies

🔹 Family relocation

🔹 A pathway to Portuguese citizenship

💬 Leave your answer in the comments, or tell me what questions you'd like me to address in future posts.

Your feedback will help shape the next topics.

Endereço

Lisbon

Horário de Funcionamento

Segunda-feira 09:00 - 18:00
Terça-feira 09:00 - 18:00
Quarta-feira 09:00 - 18:00
Quinta-feira 09:00 - 18:00
Sexta-feira 09:00 - 18:00

Telefone

+351915519128

Website

Notificações

Seja o primeiro a receber as novidades e deixe-nos enviar-lhe um email quando Manoela Galende Costa - International Lawyer publica notícias e promoções. O seu endereço de email não será utilizado para qualquer outro propósito, e pode cancelar a subscrição a qualquer momento.

Atalhos

Compartilhar

Categoria